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10 Rides to AVOID in Disney World if You Struggle with Motion Sickness

By Sara McOmber 17 Comments

There are a lot of different rides in Disney World . Some are nice and slow. Others will jostle you around a bit but aren’t too intense. Some will give you a bit of that thrill factor . And others will truly have you screaming!

Thunder Mountain

Not all rides are created equal, and if you struggle with motion sickness, there are a few at Walt Disney World that you’ll probably want to avoid ! We made a list of eight that you’ll likely want to steer clear of if your stomach tends to get queasy with too much motion.

A quick disclaimer to start us off: everyone is a little different when it comes to motion sickness! What makes our heads spin really badly might not affect you at all, so keep that in mind! The rides we chose for this list are just some with the worst reputations for motion sickness.

1. Mission: SPACE

Mission: SPACE , located in EPCOT , turns guests into astronaut recruits and has them board a shuttle simulator and launch into space! We’re guessing you can already see how this might be bad for those prone to motion sickness? 🤢

Get ready to step inside a human centrifuge.

There are two options for this ride: the green side and the orange side . What side you pick here is VERY important. The main difference between them is the level of intensity.

Green or Orange?

The green side is not as intense and doesn’t include spinning. It’s more family-friendly, but still uses a motion simulator that “offers light movement.” It’s “less likely” to cause motion sickness, but you’ll still want to be cautious if general motion simulators can get you sick.

Inside Mission Space

The orange side is probably a no-go for most people prone to motion sickness. On the orange side, the attraction uses a centrifuge that spins and tilts. This helps the ride simulate the speed and G-forces of being in a space shuttle! Disney’s own website notes that guests who wish to experience the Orange side should be free of motion sickness. So yeah, if Disney’s fully warning you of this, you may want to heed their warning (at least that’s what we think!).

Mission Space

You may be fine going with the slightly less intense green side, but if you’re really prone to motion sickness we’d recommend skipping both!

Click here to see a full list of the thrill rides in Disney World!

2. star tours — the adventures continue.

One of the worst things for motion sickness is motion simulation/simulators , and that’s exactly what Star Tours — The Adventures Continue in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is all about . Guests on this ride are buckled into a ship that’s meant to take them on a tour of the Star Wars galaxy, but — spoiler alert!! — things go a little awry. (Don’t they always.)

The ride is a simulator that includes sudden drops (with that sinking feeling in your stomach!) and bumpy crashes . And to top it all off, the ride is a 3-D experience , which can make things even WORSE for those with motion sickness!

One of the worst (or best, depending on your perspective!) parts of the ride can be the “jumps to lightspeed.” Those can happen a few times in this ride. When they take place, the “ship” simulates very fast, sudden forward .

You’re going to see a trend on this list that the simulation rides (Star Tours and Mission: Space included) are some of the worst for queasiness! In this case, you might just be better off watching a Star Wars movie at home, enjoying some popcorn, and skipping the motion sickness. If you do hop on this ride and are prone to motion sickness, may the Force be with you.

Click here to take a look at the Star Wars item you’ll literally use every single day!

3. mad tea party.

Mad Tea Party in Magic Kingdom is an outdoor ride where guests sit inside teacups and spin in circles, both in place and around the other cups — a true recipe for success for those prone to dizziness, no?! (For a person who is prone to motion sickness, you could say it’s not their cup of tea — get it? 😉)

Mad Tea Party

It’s a classic ride though, and one that many might want the memory of having been on (and the photos to prove it). If you simply MUST go on this ride, then you’ll want to be cautious about who you pick to ride with you! Depending on who you’re riding with, this ride may not be as bad for motion sickness as some others.

You’ll have control of how much your cup spins in place, but not over the movement in circles around other teacups.

You Teacup Awaits

If you can convince everyone in your group to *pretty please* not spin quite so much, this ride might be tolerable for you! Still, there is a good amount of spinning involved, even if you don’t spin your own teacup at all around itself. So maybe take a look at it from the outside and watch for a bit. If the spinning around the room seems like it’ll be too much for you, even if your teacup is not spinning on itself, then move on!

Just as a note — a sort-of similar ride is Alien Swirling Saucers in Hollywood Studios, which involves a decent amount of spinning as well, though it is somewhat different in structure and guests do not have control of any spinning in their own vehicle.

Click here to see what your favorite Disney World ride says about you!

4. avatar flight of passage.

This one is another 3-D motion simulation ride! In Avatar Flight of Passage, located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom , you’ll sit on a motorcycle–type seat with restraints on your back.

Flight of Passage ride vehicles

When the ride begins, it’s a full-view simulation of riding a banshee (the flying animals in Avatar ) through mountains, over open water, and through forests. There are simulated quick turns and sharp drops as well. If you think you’d be sick riding a flying horse (sorry Pegasus!), this ride is probably not for you.

Flight of Passage loading bikes

Another thing about this ride that can make your stomach a little queasy is at the very beginning when the restraints come up on your back and sort of lock you in. The ride “scans” you to link you to an avatar, and it vibrates a little. Usually, it’s fine, but if you get stuck waiting for a while before the ride begins, the vibration can get to be a bit much or you might start to feel queasy !

Click here to learn more about Pandora — The World of Avatar

5. astro orbiter.

If you’re not familiar with this ride, think Dumbo the Flying Elephant or the Magic Carpets of Aladdin but higher! Astro Orbiter (located in Magic Kingdom) is the same idea — guests spin around a central point and have the option of moving their vehicle up or down .

There It Is at the End!

All three of these rides could be bad for queasy stomachs and dizziness, but the height of Astro Orbiter can make it a little worse than the others. Plus it just feels like it goes so fast!

Astro Orbiter

Guests go up to this ride in an elevator because it’s raised pretty high up. Heights + spinning = not a great experience if you get motion sickness . If you want the same feel with a little less risk, maybe stick to Dumbo!

Click here to see our ultimate guide to Magic Kingdom!

6. space mountain.

Oh, Space Mountain , how some of us love you! But oh, Space Mountain, how you also sometimes make us feel quite ill! This classic in Magic Kingdom is a high-speed roller coaster in the dark, with sudden drops, jerky turns, loud noises, and some repeated spinning .

Space Mountain

We think the main issue with this one is the jerky-ness of the ride in general, coupled with the fact that it’s in the dark and does have some fast motions.  Honestly, even experienced riders can get headaches from the fast, unexpected turns.

Ready to Board?

If moving through dark spaces in a jerky fashion with loud music and sudden drops sounds like a recipe for disaster with you and your motion sickness, then this is probably a skip for you.

Click 10,000 fans voted on the best Disney World mountain — do you agree?

7. dinosaur.

DINOSAUR in Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a fast, jerky ride through the jungles of the late Cretaceous period. Picture yourself riding a fast jeep through very rocky terrain surrounded by loud sounds, lights, and dinosaurs.

The ride vehicle starts and stops quickly and takes some sharp turns. This ride is also pretty dark , so not being able to see the track in front of you could mean those quick turns might catch you off-guard.

In the pre-show, the host “hacks” into locked coordinates to send you on this exciting ride, but if you’re prone to motion sickness, you might want to keep those coordinates locked and skip this one.

24,000 Disney fans ranked every ride in Animal Kingdom! Click here to see the results!

8. the twilight zone tower of terror.

Repeated fast drops straight down and sudden movements that pull you straight up is what makes The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (in Disney’s Hollywood Studios) a recipe for motion sickness disaster.

Hope the elevator works!

If that flipping feeling in your stomach makes you queasy, this is NOT the ride for you. This ride simulates a broken elevator, “dropping” the ride vehicle down several stories and then pulling them up again to repeat the thrilling fall.

Tower of Terror

But we think the ride queue and pre-show are worth the trip, so you might want to consider walking through and then ducking out the “chicken door” right before the ride actually begins if you think it’ll make you sick!

Click here to see the best and worst lines to be stuck in at Disney World!

9. remy’s ratatouille adventure.

We need to mention Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure . This newer addition to the France Pavilion can leave guests feeling a little bit queasy due to the dramatic shifts between oversized sets and screens. 

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

You’ll also want to keep in mind that a large portion of the ride is in 3D, so you’ll be wearing 3D glasses throughout. On top of that, the adorable rat-shaped ride vehicles spin, turn, and twist this way and that , which could add to the possibility of motion sickness. Being a rat can be tough!

Click Here to Take a Look Inside Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure!

10. guardians of the galaxy: cosmic rewind.

With a heavy heart, we’re reluctantly adding EPCOT’s newest attraction to the list. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is an Omnicoaster, which means the ride vehicles spin around a full 360 degrees (we’re getting queasy just thinking about it).

Cosmic Rewind

The ride goes backwards and is almost as intense as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. So if you’re prone to motion sickness, this may be a ride to avoid.

Click Here to See Our Experience With Motion Sickness On This Ride!

Some honorable mentions:.

These rides didn’t make our top list, but if you get pretty bad motion sickness, you might still want to avoid them !

• Expedition Everest, Animal Kingdom . Dangers: fast turns and a long, fast section where your vehicle goes backward in the dark
• Test Track, EPCOT. Dangers: high speeds, fast turns, sudden stopping
• Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster Starring Aerosmith, Hollywood Studios. Dangers: goes upside down, fast turns in the dark
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Magic Kingdom . Dangers: spinning in one section of the ride (optional! you can control the spinning most of the time) and a section of the ride goes through a tunnel with spinning stars
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Hollywood Studios . Dangers: jerky turns, fast stops
• Dumbo and Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Magic Kingdom . Dangers: spinning, though not as bad as some other attractions

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

That’s our list of Disney World rides that you may want to avoid if you’re prone to motion sickness! Remember that there are plenty of more “tame” rides throughout the parks that you can enjoy just as much (and probably more if they won’t make you sick!) as these! Keep following DFB for all the info about Disney park rides!

Rise of The Resistance Motion Sickness Info and Tips

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Which Disney World ride would you recommend skipping to someone who is prone to motion sickness? Tell us in the comments!

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January 30, 2022 at 11:46 am

I see that Alien Swirling Saucers didn’t it appear on your list…do you think this ride is pretty easy in the stomach? I have been scared to ride because I thought it would be too spinny!

January 30, 2022 at 12:30 pm

What is your opinion on Ratatouille? We are trying to decide if we should ride on our upcoming trip, but keep reading mixed reviews about the motion sickness aspect.

January 30, 2022 at 8:38 pm

For me sadly it’s nearly the entire list above, sans Buzz and Dumbo, and now includes Remy and Runaway Railway…got sick on both of them.

January 31, 2022 at 8:47 am

Hi Katie! I personally love Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, but I can certainly see how it could be an issue for those with motion sickness. You’re wearing 3D glasses and spinning around quite a bit so if you’re prone to motion sickness, that one might not be a good choice.

January 31, 2022 at 8:56 am

Hi Laurie! Alien Swirling Saucers doesn’t spin as much as the Teacups, but you can’t control the spin. Being a ride that was made for the younger set, it also doesn’t spin super fast and lasts for about 3 minutes. I would describe it as wide slings more than spins, but it does spin a little. You may get a little dizzy, but you’re not constantly spinning like you would on a traditional spinning ride. It’s more of a slinging from side to side, if that makes sense.

January 31, 2022 at 7:24 pm

Avatar doesn’t bother me at all! Mission space is the only ride in my life (other than the satanic teacups) that I wanted to scream for an emergency stop! I can’t do rockin because of the dark, u learned I can do Everest a million times but at night it makes me sick I guess because you can’t predict and adjust your head for turns? Thunder mountain doesn’t bother me but Dinosaur does (dark again)…did you know they now make 24 hour dramamine?

January 31, 2022 at 8:30 pm

I definitely cannot handle the Tea Cups, but Aliens is fine for me. Smugglers Run had me nearly unable to walk I was so queasy! If you have a hard time on Star Tours, definitely watch out.

February 1, 2022 at 1:38 am

Alien Swirling Saucers – I can’t do most of the rides on this list, but I didn’t get queasy on Alien Swirling Saucers. It’s not really very “spinny.” It is, however, really bumpy. I didn’t enjoy it at all.

There’s an excellent video on Youtube about riding Flight of Passage if you’re prone to motion sickness. I used his tips and kept my discomfort to a bare minimum. I’m so glad I tried it. For reference, I get sick on the Skyliner and at the Canada movie.

February 1, 2022 at 3:40 pm

2 seconds into Star Tours I had to pull my baseball hat because everything was coming up. I couldn’t even look around for an exit, opening my eyes made me sicker. But the temperature in the ride dropped quickly and the ride ended even quicker. There was a cast member waiting for me. Talk about embarrassing.

February 9, 2022 at 8:37 pm

I have a couple; Soarin in ECOPT The films in Canada , France and China. World Showcase. Any simulated movement can spend me into vertigo attack, I have to be very careful.

February 10, 2022 at 1:56 pm

Soarin should be on there, when my mother when on it I think she had her eyes closed for the entire ride.

May 5, 2022 at 4:23 pm

I don’t know how smugglers run didn’t make this list. I’ve NEVER had an issue with virtual rides, but I really had an issue with smugglers run in Sept. I tried Star Tours again last month (skipped in Sept since everyone did it after smugglers run), and I ended up just shutting my eyes for it and was fine. Lol. I felt a bit of the woozy feeling from the start. I did not have an issue with Remy, thank goodness. I know my husband would.

My MIL was not a fan of expedition Everest because of it going backwards and having a backwards turn, and she felt woozy after space mountain (so she skipped Soarin and rock n roller coaster).

June 28, 2022 at 7:07 am

You forgot(?) to mention that at the end of Dinosaur, one of them bites your head clean off! That’s a little more stressful than any of the motion effects…

September 11, 2022 at 11:55 am

Expedition Everest is the WORST! I was sick for two full days after riding (with having taken Dramamine AND wearing motion sickness bracelets.) Remy, Star Tours, Smugglers Run, RC Racer, and Avatar are also all on my NEVER EVER EVER AGAIN list. Internationally, I was in agony on Paris’ Crush’s Coaster and Hyperspace Mountain. I was surprisingly ok on all Hong Kong rides, most Shanghai (including TRON – let’s see what they do to it in the US – and their way better Pirates ), and Tokyo (including Journey and Raging Spirits – and except for those previously mentioned).

June 26, 2023 at 6:52 am

Take this warning article seriously! I, a 79-year-old passholder, just HAD to try the spectacular Tron ride for myself, despite disliking coasters in general and having bad experiences on others– including a really bad one on the Potter ride at Universal. So after the worst experience with waiting (over 7 hours from the 1PM group join until riding AFTER the fireworks that night, I tortured myself with the ride which took me 15 minutes to recover from. Stupid ME! I do NOT blame the intense ride for my discomfort nor Disney who posted sufficient warnings that even an aging fool could comprehend. Riding Tron was MY choice and my bad experience was MY fault. Moral: Be wise! If you have ever experienced this kind of discomfort on a ride, ship or the like, STAY OFF TRON and the other “thrill rides” for your own sake. You’ll be glad you did even if your friends call you silly names for not riding! And the rest of your day at the parks will be lots more pleasant.

July 31, 2023 at 12:27 pm

You left out SMUGGLER’S RUN. OMG never again!

March 31, 2024 at 3:12 pm

it was the silly swinging chairs at disneyland that did me in. all the above mentioned rides i was fine but this one was the killer

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Disney World Motion Sickness Guide

Worried about getting motion sickness during your disney world vacation this guide will break down which rides you should avoid, and which rides you don't have to worry about.

Getting motion sickness at Disney World is no fun. Getting a Dole Whip and watching the fireworks? Magical. Turning green because you went on the wrong ride? Not so magical.

Motion sickness can turn a vacation of a lifetime into a something you’ll remember for all the wrong reasons. But Guide2WDW is here to help! We want to give you the tools to know which rides you can ride, which rides to avoid, and the tips and tricks to help alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness.

This guide will tell you all the rides that can cause motion sickness at Disney World. We have breakdowns of every park, as well as in-depth guides for the most asked about rides, such as Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

Table of Contents

What causes motion sickness?

In a very general sense, motion sickness occurs when there’s an incongruity between what your brain perceives and what your body experiences. If you’re on a ride and your body moves in a way your brain wasn’t anticipating or couldn’t process, then you could feel sick. That’s why experts advise to look out to the horizon while riding on a boat: it helps orient you to the motion that you are experiencing.

Motion sickness is very subjective. Everyone has a different experience, and a different threshold for what makes them sick. You might be fine on a roller coaster, but screen-based rides could trigger you. Or vice versa. The only way to really know is to experience it for yourself. However, you probably already have a good idea of what types of rides you have issues with. This guide will help you know which rides fit into which categories.

What Disney World rides cause motion sickness?

In general, here are the types of rides and experiences that can cause motion sickness at Disney World:

• Spinning Rides, like the Tea Cups
• Roller Coasters – with drops, launches, banked turns, and inversions
• Motion Simulators – where your seat moves along synchronized to a movie screen
• Carousels – These don’t spin you in tight circles, like the tea cups, but they do move you around in a large circle
• 3D – Rides and movies with 3D glasses can give some guests issues
• Large Screens – Even without a motion simulation element, large movie screens can trigger motion sickness in some guests
• Darkness – Space Mountain isn’t a particularly fast or intense roller coaster, but because it’s in total darkness, it can induce motion sickness.
• Drop Rides -Certain rides will drop you faster than the speed of gravity, which causes you to have a floating sensation in your stomach. Tower of Terror and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance are the only rides with drops, although Tower of Terror’s is much bigger and repeated.

For a breakdown of which rides fit into these categories, check out our in-depth motion sickness guides.

Motion Sickness Guides by Park

In these motion sickness guides, we break down every ride in each park and categorize them into the following categories:

• High Risk: These attractions have the biggest chance of making guests feel nausea. These rides will feature the most intense movement.
• Medium Risk: These rides have some sort of pronounced movement that could trigger motion sickness. Most guests will be find the intensity of these rides tolerable, but if you’re sensitive to the attraction type, you may want to skip it.
• Low Risk: The vast, vast majority of guests will have no problem on these rides, but there’s still a small chance it could make some guests feel woozy.
• (Almost) No Risk:  Almost every guest should have no issues with the type of movement on these rides. However, I say this with a caveat that sometimes I get lightheaded standing up after tying my shoes, so I know that there’s still a chance some guests could feel sick from these.

Magic Kingdom Motion Sickness Guide  High Risk Rides: Mad Tea Party

EPCOT Motion Sickness Guide  High Risk Rides: Guardians of the Galaxy, Mission: SPACE Orange

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Motion Sickness Guide  High Risk Rides: Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Motion Sickness Guide  High Risk Rides: Expedition Everest.

Click the links above to see a complete list and categorization of every ride in each park.

Motion Sickness Guides by Ride

For certain rides, we’ve made in-depth guides on whether you can expect to get motion sickness on them. These break down exactly how intense the ride is, what aspects of the ride could cause motion sickness, and how to avoid feeling sick on each ride.

Will Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind give you motion sickness?

Will Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance give you motion sickness?

Will Soarin’ give you motion sickness?

Will Avatar Flight of Passage give you motion sickness?

What makes motion sickness worse?

There are a few things that can make motion sickness worse on Disney World rides:

• Riding on the back row of a roller coaster increases the feeling of intensity. This also applies to the front row of Expedition Everest, as there is a backwards drop through the dark (which is most intense from the front row).
• Staring at a fixed object while in motion. The “goat trick” on Big Thunder Mountain is where you stare at the goat as you pass by it in order to induce a feeling of dizziness and make the ride feel more intense. This same principle applies to really any ride.
• Screen distortion. Don’t sit on the end of the rows of Soarin’, as the distorted screen can make motion sickness worse.
• Going on an empty stomach. Many people make this mistake! There is a logic to thinking if you don’t have anything in your stomach, then you are less likely to feel nauseated or throw up after a ride. However, the opposite is true! Having something in your stomach will help reduce feelings of motion sickness, especially if it’s something bland and filling, like bread or a banana. Of course, you also don’t want to go on an intense ride immediately after eating a ton of food.

Tips to Avoid Motion Sickness at Disney World

• Request the right seat. – If you are worried about motion sickness, talk to the Cast Member loading the ride and mention On roller coasters that only go forward, request a seat toward the front. On roller coasters that move in different directions, request a seat in the middle. On Soarin’, request the middle section. On Star Tours, request a seat in the middle of the middle.
• Look at the track ahead of you. A good way to reduce motion sickness is to anticipate
• Eat a small meal 30-60 minutes before riding.
• Pack Dramamine, motion sickness bands, and ginger chews.

Dramamine – Less Drowsy

If you struggle with motion sickness, you should pack some Dramamine when you head to Disney. Take this at least an hour before going on the ride you're worried about. This is the less drowsy version, which can still cause some drowsiness.

Buy from Amazon

Dramamine – Non-Drowsy

Another option for motion sickness if traditional Dramamine makes you too drowsy is the non-drowsy Dramamine. The active ingredient is ginger, which does work for some people in eliminating motion sickness.

Sea-Band Anti-Nausea Acupressure Wristband

The Sea-Band, and other motion sickness bands like it, helps relieve nausea through acupressure on your wrists. It's a good option if you do not want to consume any medicine, but it can also help in addition to those remedies if you're especially prone to motion sickness.

Ginger Chews by Dramamine

Ginger is a natural motion sickness reliever. Ginger chews, gum, lozenges and essential oil can help. I personally have had luck with these ginger chews.

Ginger Essential Oil

A motion sickness tip I learned the hard way on a really choppy boat ride: ginger essential oil can really help relieve the woozy feelings. So you don't overwhelm yourself with the smell of ginger, place a little on your wrist or the back of your hand, and then you can choose your moments to breathe in the ginger smells.

What to do if you experience motion sickness at Disney World

If you are feeling sick, find a bench outside and take a break. Sometimes just sitting still and breathing some fresh air can help the sensation of nausea pass.

Drinking water or having a small, bland snack like a banana can help if you don’t have enough in your stomach.

While Dramamine is best taken at least an hour before you go on a ride, taking one or a ginger chew after you’ve already started feeling nauseated can help.

If you are feeling sick and need supplies, go to the First Aid. They are well equipped to help you.

EPCOT’s First Aid is located near the Odyssey building, on the path between World Discovery and World Showcase.

The First Aid at Hollywood Studios is located immediately to the left of the entrance as soon as you get into the park.

We want to hear from you!

Do you have any tips on avoiding motion sickness at Disney World? Let us know in the comments below!

Disclaimer: This post features affiliate links, which Guide2WDW may earn a commission from.

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James Grosch

James is a lifelong Disney Parks fan. While at the parks, he loves finding new details, learning more about Disney World history, and taking pictures. His favorite WDW attractions include Rise of the Resistance, Spaceship Earth, and Tower of Terror. James is a filmmaker and writer based in Atlanta, GA.

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Complete Guide to Star Tours – The Adventures Continue at Hollywood Studios

May the force be with you on this thrilling 3D space flight to legendary destinations from the  Star Wars  saga.

You’ll take to the stars with C-3PO and R2-D2. But watch out for some familiar, less-than-friendly faces like Kylo Ren or Darth Vader!

In 2024, more stories and characters will be added to Star Tours at Hollywood Studios. Further details haven’t been announced just yet, but we will let you know about the changes as soon as we learn more.

Blast off with our complete guide to Star Tours – The Adventures Continue!

New Adventures Coming April 5, 2024

As announced at 2023 Destination D23, beginning April 5, Star Tours will include new locations and adventures from Ahsoka , Andor , and The Mandalorian .

Once added, the ride will have over 250 different adventure combinations for guest to experience.

Star Tours – The Adventures Continue Quick Facts

• Location:   Echo Lake , Hollywood Studios
• Height req : 40 inches
• Suitable for: Anybody 40″ or taller who can handle simulators and some rough movement.
• Attraction length: About 7 minutes
• Do we recommend? Yes, especially for Star Wars fans
• When to visit: 2nd hour
• Scheduled Refurbishments
• Tip(s): The exit area is a great Star Wars gift shop that has areas to build LEGO Star Wars characters and affordable light sabers. If this store seems too busy, you may have better luck at Once Upon a Toy store in Disney Springs where you can get the same items.
• Description: 3D flight simulator that takes guests through one of dozens of different Star Wars experiences including new characters and adventures from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker as well as Star Wars: The Last Jed i and Batuu, the home planet of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Star Tours – The Adventures Continue is located in Echo Lake near Backlot Express, a Quick Service restaurant.

Here is the location on the map:

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How to Ride Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

Star Tours – The Adventures Continue has a Standby Line and a Lightning Lane. There is no  Single Rider Line .

Do I need to use Genie+ at Star Tours – The Adventures Continue?

Genie+ is available at Star Tours – The Adventures Continue however this wouldn’t be an early priority ride to grab those Genie+ reservations because availability rarely runs out.

This ride is also available for Early Entry to those who qualify.

Be sure to check out our  touring strategies for Hollywood Studios for more Genie+ advice.

Rider Switch/Child Swap

Since you must be 40″ to ride Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, this attraction does offer Rider Switch.

Rider Switch is Disney’s system that allows guests with small children to take turns riding bigger rides, while another person/people wait with the little one.

You can  learn more about Rider Switch  via our handy guide.

What to Expect when you Ride

The queue at Star Tours – The Adventures Continue is designed to resemble a spaceport terminal.

You’ll see posters advertising voyages to different planets with Star Tours and a large LCD screen informing riders of flight statuses and planetary weather forecasts.

You’ll also see some of your favorite characters like C-3PO and R2-D2, as well as Captain Rex from the original attraction. He occasionally has a power surge and delivers a line from the first Star Tours ride.

Two G2 droids process passengers’ “luggage” on a scanning system that reveals the contents to you as you wait in the queue.

You’ll then retrieve your 3-D “flight glasses” before you are directed by a flight agent to a gate where you’ll wait to board.

While you wait, you’ll be entertained by a pre-show on the screen above you. C-3PO has been assigned to maintenance on the StarSpeeder 1000 that you’re about to board and he gets trapped in the cockpit after the ship’s captain leaves!

Make sure you then pay attention to the safety instructions before you board.

Play Disney Parks  is available for Star Tours – The Adventures Continue. This free mobile app is only available for select attractions and allows guests to pass the time as they play games, trivia, and earn achievements along the way.

Ride Vehicles

The ride vehicles at Star Tours – The Adventures Continue are large 3D flight simulators.

When the door to your flight simulator opens, make your way inside to the last available seat. There are four rows in the simulator and each row contains 10 individual seats with armrests and a place to store your personal items below.

Make sure you buckle up, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!

Accessibility Information

Guests who wish to ride Star Tours – The Adventures Continue must transfer from their ECV to a wheelchair and then to the ride vehicle.

Keep in mind, Disney has issued a warning that those who ride Star Tours – The Adventures Continue should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back, or neck problems. Expectant mothers should not ride.

Video and handheld captioning are available and those under 40″ are not allowed to ride.

Motion Sickness

Since Star Tours – The Adventures Continue is a 3D flight simulator, this ride is highly turbulent and includes sharp turns and sudden bumps which can aggravate motion sickness.

If you experience motion sickness in general, check out our  guide on motion sickness  for any Disney World attraction.

On the Ride

If you prefer to experience Star Tours – The Adventures Continue without spoilers, make sure you skip over this section!

Board your Starspeeder 1000 and prepare for takeoff! While you’re supposed to be heading off on a relaxing tour (hence Star Tours), a series of mishaps ends up launching you early, forcing C-3PO to take control.

But as soon as it appears that your trip is back on track, your ship is intercepted by Imperial — or First Order — forces searching for a Rebel spy. This spy is chosen from one of the guests on your ride vehicle— it could even be you!

To avoid capture and not give up your rebel passenger, you’ll be taken on the ride of a lifetime to the farthest reaches of the galaxy.

Since the attraction features several different segments that are selected randomly, your ride will be different each time! You may end up facing off with First Order villain Kylo Ren, bounty hunter Boba Fett, Princess Leia, or Jedi Master Yoda.

Just a few of the scenes you may encounter is a narrow escape from a battle on the planet Crait, following Scout Troopers as they chase after Chewbacca and a Wookiee warrior on Kashyyk, or discovering the still-to-be-finished Death Star.

With so many story twists, you never know where you’ll go or who you may encounter on your Star Tour! 

May the Force be with you as you and your fellow passengers attempt to elude capture and make it back to the base on Star Tours – The Adventures Continue.

Is Star Tours – The Adventures Continue Kid-Friendly?

The height requirement for Star Tours – The Adventures Continue is 40″ and there can be some dark moments during the action so this ride is more for older kids, tweens, teens, and adults.

We have a list of things that may scare little ones at Disney World that you can check out, if you’d like.

Strollers are not allowed in most queues or theaters at Walt Disney World.

You’ll need to leave your stroller in the designated stroller parking area near the entrance to the queue at Star Tours – The Adventures Continue.

In 1986 Disney and George Lucas, the creator of  Star Wars , partnered on the Captain EO attraction, a 3-D musical film starring Michael Jackson at Disneyland. Since the partnership was so successful Disney then approached Lucas with the idea for Star Tours.

The original Star Tours ride opened on January 9, 1987 in California’s Disneyland. Two years later, Star Tours opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, then known as Disney’s MGM Studios.

Set in the  Star Wars  universe, the motion simulator attraction sent guests on a tour to Endor, where they got caught in an altercation between the New Republic and an Imperial Remnant. The attraction featured Captain “Rex” RX-24 along with series regulars R2-D2 and C-3PO.

In 1998, Disney began planning to upgrade Star Tours as part of the release of the upcoming 1999 film  Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace , the first film of the new prequel trilogy.

This version would be in 3D and feature new flights. However, since more films for the franchise were in pre-production, officials chose to wait until 2003 when production began on  Revenge of the Sith  before remodeling Star Tours.

In April 2005, at  Star Wars  Celebration III, creator George Lucas confirmed that a revamp of Star Tours was in production. Then at the 2009 D23 Expo it was announced that Star Tours at Disneyland and Hollywood Studios would close in October 2010 for renovations.

The rides would reopen in May and June 2011 as Star Tours – The Adventures Continue.

On August 14, 2010, Hollywood Studios hosted the “Last Tour To Endor” event for Celebration V attendees. This extravaganza included an appearance by George Lucas, character appearances, Jedi Training Academy, Death Star Disco,  Raiders Of The Lost Jedi Temple of Doom: A Fan Film of Epic Proportions  live show, Hyperspace Hoopla, and  Symphony in the Stars  fireworks.

It also included the Star Tours shutdown ceremony which was a live show with C-3PO, R2-D2, Boba Fett, Darth Vader, as well as a few Stormtroopers, culminating in the official power-down of Star Tours.

The ride remained open until September 7, 2010, when the attraction held its “Final Flight to Endor” for D23 members.

In Orlando, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue began soft openings on May 14, 2011, with the official opening held at midnight on May 20, 2011.

Since its opening, the planet Jakku from  The Force Awakens  has been added to the attraction as well as the planet Crait from  The Last Jedi  and Batuu, from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Finally, the ocean moon Kef Bir from  The Rise of Skywalker  was added on December 20, 2019, the film’s release date.

In 2023, Disney announced at Destination D23 that Ahoska would be added to Star Tours in spring 2024 .

Other Fun Details

• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue is inspired by all nine films of the Star Wars Skywalker saga: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Episode II – Attack of the Clones, Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, Episode IV – A New Hope, Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, Empire VI – Return of the Jedi, Episode VII – The Force Awakens, Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, and Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker .
• There are Star Tours attractions at four different Disney Parks around the world: Disney World’s Hollywood Studios, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland in California.

• The exteriors of all four Star Tours attractions are different in their respective parks. The attraction in Florida is inspired by an Ewok village on the forest moon of Endor.
• Listen closely just before boarding your spaceship. You may hear a reference to THX1138. THX1138 was in all of the Star Wars movies because it was the name of George Lucas’ first movie, so he included it in all of the Star Wars films as a nod to his origin.
• Other boarding call announcements in the first area of the indoor wait queue gives names that are actually anagrams for people like  Star Wars  creator George Lucas (“Egroeg Sacul”) and Tom Morrow (“Mot Worrom”). When you reach the baggage check area, many different Disney attractions and franchises like Haunted Mansion ,  Toy Story, Aladdin, WALL-E, The Incredibles , and  Captain EO get cameos as G2-9T scans boarding IDs. 
• Paul Reubens, perhaps better known for his famous character, Pee Wee Herman, was actually the voice of Captain RX-24 (Rex) in the original Star Tours ride. He was the pilot talking as R2-D2 was being loaded. In the new version of the ride, you can see him in the droid maintenance section in the queue.

• Patrick Warburton, who is known for delivering the safety spiel before boarding Soarin’ at Epcot and for also voicing Kronk in Emperor’s New Groove , is the voice of security officer G2-4Ton Star Tours — The Adventures Continue. You can spot him as you pass through a series of security scanners.
• As part of the attraction, you’ll see scenes with archival footage of Princess Leia, played by Carrie Fisher. The dialogue, however, is re-recorded. Carrie Fisher collaborated with Imagineers to re-record her dialogue so that it fits the attraction seamlessly.
• While the original Star Tours ride didn’t open until 1989, Imagineers originally had an idea for a simulator ride themed to another Disney movie. The 1979 live-action film  The Black Hole  followed astronauts investigating a mysterious spaceship inside a black hole, but it was a commercial flop. This, combined with the high costs for the planned ride, led to the concept being scrapped. It wasn’t until Disney partnered with George Lucas and Lucasfilm in 1986, that the simulator idea was revisited, this time with Star Wars in mind.

Other Attractions in Echo Lake

• For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
• Indiana Jones™ Epic Stunt Spectacular!
• Mickey Shorts Theater
• Star Tours – The Adventure Continues

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Skip These Seven Walt Disney World Attractions if you Struggle with Motion Sickness

Walt Disney World has tons of awesome attractions, and while many are made for the whole family, there are some that you might want to skip if you get easily queasy.

If you tend to get motion sickness, it might be best to skip certain rides during your time at the parks.

Here are seven of the riskiest rides when it comes to motion sickness .

Avatar — flight of passage (animal kingdom).

Admittedly, the 3D virtual reality simulation of Avatar’s diverse world of Pandora in Flight of Passage is truly a wonder to behold. That said, the very realistic sensations of flying on a banshee through the forests, waters, and caves of Pandora can be both exhilarating and overwhelming, as your mount can suddenly go into abrupt dives. In fact, the queue’s introduction to the ride warns that Flight of Passage is not the best for those who suffer from motion sickness or a fear of heights.

Even so, Flight of Passage is not as extreme as other rides, as much of the ride is relatively smooth, and there aren’t any upside-down flips or anything similarly intense. If you’re okay with the sensation of flying with a large simulator screen and don’t mind the drops, you can still enjoy this amazing dive into another world of magnificent flora and creatures of all sorts.

Expedition Everest (Animal Kingdom)

In some ways, Expedition Everest is a tamer rollercoaster, as it never throws any loop-de-loops or corkscrews at you. In fact, the track is smooth overall. Yet keep in mind that this is still a massive roller coaster, such that the Guinness World Records 2011 book listed it as the most expensive roller coaster in the world. Therefore, you can expect powerful turns at up to 3G.

Most of all, unlike most roller coasters, Expedition Everest switches between the standard forward direction and sending your train hurtling backward. The drops into pitch-black caves at times can be further disorienting. These unexpected twists are different from standard roller coasters, and the extra confusion can affect your motion sickness by throwing you off.

Mission: Space (EPCOT)

Meant to simulate a real space flight, Mission: Space is not for the weak-stomached, especially if you choose the harder option. There are two different missions to choose from: Green and Orange. The Orange mission, taking you all the way to Mars, is certainly intense, complete with crazy spins and tilts that simulate the high-speed sensation of centrifugal force. Therefore, Disney advises guests with back or neck problems, high blood pressure, or motion sickness to avoid the ride, same for expectant mothers.

The Green mission, on the other hand, might still be suitable even if you sometimes get motion sickness. Rather than a full-fledged trip to Mars, this option instead just takes you into orbit around the Earth – with no spins and only light movements. While some people like expectant mothers are advised to still avoid the ride, you’ll likely find the Green option much more enjoyable, letting you enjoy the thrill of space travel without getting sick along the way.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (EPCOT)

Though you may be excited about trying EPCOT’s newest attraction, you may want to think carefully before getting on board. Disney World’s first omnicoaster has a reverse launch, and a lot of turning back and forth throughout the ride.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic RewindThe ride’s track itself is very smooth, but several guests have gotten motion sick from this attraction. So much so, that Disney has added more trash cans near the exit of the ride.

Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom)

While this ride is not intense as other roller coasters, it has plenty of sharp turns and drops, and more than that, a disorientating atmosphere. You are essentially speeding around through the dark, with only faint, brief flashes of light intermittently. The lack of visuals can throw off your orientation and increase the chances of you becoming nauseous during the ride.

Even so, if you’re okay with the darkness, then the ride could still be okay for you. Aside from jerky turns and drops, there aren’t other features like inversions to upset your stomach. So as long as you can tolerate moderate thrill rides and won’t get dizzy from the lack of light, you should still check this ride out.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (Hollywood Studios)

This roller coaster holds nothing back with intense thrills that will send your heart racing. With two rollover loops that turn you upside-down, as well as a corkscrew, you’re in for a wild ride. What’s more, it can jump from a standstill to 57 mph in three seconds flat. The high speeds and twisting turns combine to make this terrible for people with motion sickness.

Not only that, but the loud music blaring from your car and the largely dark surroundings can be further disorienting, making for a rather unpleasant experience. Plus, there are also big drops, further upsetting your stomach. This is an awesome ride if you like thrill rides – and have a love for rock music – but people who don’t like motion sickness should stay away.

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (Hollywood Studios)

Sudden and sharp drops are definitely a recipe to make your stomach churn, so you should stay away from the Tower of Terror. There are going to be multiple drops in the elevator as it creakily goes up and down. The biggest drop traverses the full height of the elevator (130 ft) at up to 39 mph – that’s sure to make you queasy!

To make things worse, the Tower of Terror is unpredictable, selecting different levels of drops at random each time. The selection even includes some false drops that will startle you and give you a false sense of security. This means that you’ll never know when the freefalls will happen, or at what intensity. Not knowing when you’re going to have trouble can make you uneasy and more likely to be thrown off by the sudden drops. So stick to a spooky but safe attraction like the Haunted Mansion if you want chills and thrills.

If you’re worried about motion sickness at Walt Disney World, know that you’ll likely be fine; the parks have lots of attractions that will be perfectly all right for you. As long as you avoid the more troublesome offenders like the seven rides listed above, you and your tummy can have a wonderful time at Disney World.

Do you get nauseated on certain Disney World attractions? Share them in the comments below! 

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7 Replies to “Skip These Seven Walt Disney World Attractions if you Struggle with Motion Sickness”

Flight of Passage made me a bit dizzy but I was suffering from severe sunburn and lack of water on a very hot AK day. Misson Space didn’t bother me but we went on the mild one. Rock N’ Roller I only looked at it and it made me nauseous (Threw up on a loop coaster in 7th grade and haven’t been on since.) Haven’t been on Primeval Whirl since it was closed in Aug of 2019 when I went but I would have stayed behind (Threw up on one that was ironically in the shape of a dino at the state fair in like 8th or 9th grade.) And teacups too. Alien Saucers in Toy Story Land is a big no for me (Threw up on that kind of ride at the state fair the same day as the dino spin) I warned my friends back then but they forced me to get on even when I told them I have a weak stomach but they refused and paid the priced. Tower of Terror again is okay for me. Been on copycat ones in diff amusement parks and loved it can’t wait to go on the OG when I can go to Disney again. Anyone whose motion sickness has gotten better also have a thing where when they are tired and low energy they feel dizzier and sicker and then go on the ride when they’re rested and feel a lot better on it or is it just me?

Smugglers Run is bad too, and surprisingly, Aladdin’s Magic Carpets were so rough and bouncy, I was nauseous the whole rest of our evening.

I suffer greatly from motion sickness, but from this list I am only bothered by Flights of Passage, Mission Space, and Primeval Twirl.

Several years ago I “tried” the Tower of Terror and I got so sick, it ruined the rest of my day. The nausea and uncomfortable feelings last for hours for me. So If a ride even hints at being a problem for me, I skip it. I did try the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. While I tolerated these, I did not enjoy them a great deal. All that being said, I enjoy Disney World a great deal. I just wish that with all the upgrades, renovations, and additions, Disney would add a few things that I could tolerate. Whenever I go, I always try to ride Soarin as many times as I can (and close my eyes for the fly over the Great Wall of China)…Unfortunately fast passes , especially Tier one rides, have far too may options I can not take advantage of. It would be nice if they had a ‘Fast Pass for Those Prone to Motion Sickness’ option that would allow people like me to get two fast passes for Soarin and skipping the big thrill rides.

Yup, got motion sickness on every one of these rides except Tower of Terror. I can ride each once, but not multiple times in a day.

I get sick on spinning rides & motion simulators but I’m fine on roller coasters. Body Wars made me sick enough so I’ve never ridden the Star Wars one. I did ride Mission Space once & puked after I got off. Surprisingly I was fine on Primeval Whirl.

Star Tours and Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run set off my vertigo. I’m more sensitive to lateral movements vs up and down. I’ve found that the engineer position in Smuggler’s Run is best for me, because I can focus on my “job” rather than the images when I start to feel nauseous.

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Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run – From a Motion Sickness Perspective

If you’re new to the site or even new to Walt Disney World, you’re likely aware that Disney has recently rolled out a new land called Galaxy’s Edge. The land is insanely immersive, and while I hope to write up a full review of the land itself (which is well worth spending at least a few hours in at the very least), the star of the show right now is the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction. While I personally believe the attraction will take a metaphorical “back seat” to Rise of the Resistance in the not so distant future, I always think it’s important to share my thoughts on an attraction like this because I bring a more unique perspective to it and do a review that not everyone can.

If you know me, you know I do tend to struggle with motion sickness. As a result, some attractions are just “no-go” attractions for me. I don’t have it quite as bad as some, but for reference Flight of Passage is near my limit . I don’t do Rockin’ Rollercoaster, I don’t do Expedition Everest anymore, and perhaps most important to note for this article is that I don’t ride Star Tours. I have no issues with Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or Thunder Mountain, but I very rarely ride Space Mountain. Hopefully that frames up the situation pretty well.

I say all of this because when I did my first “motion sickness perspective” article on Flight of Passage , I got a lot of positive feedback from people just like me. I’m not the coaster guy but I’m not a kill joy who won’t ride any attractions. Somehow, I fall somewhere in the middle and I think that the perspective I take on this is somewhat relatable for anyone clicking on this article. Apparently I’m not the only one who faces similar concerns about attractions like this one.

To better set the stage, it is worth noting that I didn’t experience Smuggler’s Run in quite the same way most guests did. I was there on opening day and in the interest of full disclosure, I did not wait in line to board the attraction. I was on VIP tour with my Travel Agency Affiliate (they were cool enough to invite me!) Destinations to Travel and did not wait in the insane queue on opening day. (For more on VIP Tours, check out Disney World VIP Tours – What It’s Like and Why It Might Be Worth It! ) So bear in mind that my opinion of this attraction may be slightly “skewed.” However, and I think it goes without saying, this is a truly incredible attraction. Immersive doesn’t even begin to describe it. It is genuinely like stepping into a piece of the films, experiencing your favorite Star Wars moments, and being there in real life. No words can fully describe that feeling and nothing tops the experience of finally getting to jump to Lightspeed!

BUT, to get to the point of this entire article, what is it like for someone that deals with motion sickness? Truthfully, I had some serious anxiety about this one. I don’t do well with simulators and I really don’t do well with things where I can’t get a non-moving point of reference. That, more than anything, is the kicker on this attraction. You are essentially encapsulated in the ship with 5 other guests. You look into a “window” and the rest of the vehicle is enclosed with no “real” view out or in. If you’re someone who needs that point of reference to keep your bearings and avoid motion sickness, do not get on this attraction. However, I did not get even remotely motion sick on this attraction and would feel pretty confident telling anyone that can comfortably ride Flight of Passage that they should be perfectly fine on Smugglers Run.

Here’s what you do need to be aware of though. This is not like any other attraction so there’s no perfect comparison. Your experience is going to vary drastically depending on who your pilots are and how good they are at their role. This is going to sound a bit rude (and I don’t intend for it to), but there’s going to be a big difference in flight experience if you have two adults piloting your 6 guest ship and if you have two young kids piloting your ship. There’s not a thing wrong with either situation, but chances are one experience might be a bumpier ride than the other. The more you run into as a pilot, the bumpier your flight is going to be.

Overall though, if you take out the off chance of getting stuck with two rough pilots, the attraction is pretty smooth and not overly disorienting. My role was to act as the left pilot controlling the left and right motion of the ship. It’s a touchy job and a tough set of controls but it truly is a blast. In many ways, the ship handles about how you would expect it to. it doesn’t make darting movements but rather feels like it has a certain weight to it that is hard to explain. As you turn big corners the ship tends to “roll” and feels kind of like a large commercial aircraft cornering. It more so floats as you control it and has a very fluid motion to it most of the flight which does aid in the motion sickness equation.

If I had to give a ranking, I’d have to say that if you can do Flight of Passage, you should be able to handle this. The motion is a different feeling, but it’s a comparable level of experience in that facet. If you can get through Star Tours or Space Mountain, you shouldn’t have any issues with this. There really is no perfect comparison and as I like to say, you can always try everything once. If you think you can get through it, I would recommend at least trying it. There are only a select few things I won’t risk (Mission Space being one of them) but I’d say that the vast majority of people should be able to handle this without any serious motion sickness problems and that’s saying a lot coming from me.

Your Thoughts

As always, if you have thoughts, concerns, questions, or even some tips of your own to share, don’t hesitate to reach out to us on Facebook or your favorite social media platform. Give us a follow while you’re there, and we’ll keep the conversation going in the future. We’re not the largest Disney community, but we’re one that’s here and one that listens. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day wherever you are!

Need a Travel Planner For Your Disney Vacation?

If you want or simply need a little bit of planning help to make your Disney vacation dream a reality, check out the quote request form below this article for our friends over at  Destinations to Travel . They’ll let you do as much or as little of the planning as you’d like and may even save you some money along the way! As always, thatks for supporting those who support us.

Ready to Plan?

Last but certainly not least, if you’re starting the planning process, a great place to start are with some of our top planning articles! Looking for dining? Check out  Disney World Dining Tips For 2018 . Want to start with some more tips?  44 Excellent Disney World Tips for 2018  or  Disney World Planning Guide and Tips For 2018  are a great place to begin!

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• Oct 8, 2020

10 Disney World Rides That Cause Motion Sickness

Motion sickness can put a real dampener on the day. Nobody wants to feel bad whilst at the Most Magical Place on Earth!

Here is a list of the top 10 rides that are prone to causing motion sickness at Walt Disney World.

1. Mission Space

This is the only ride at Walt Disney World that has sick bags at the ready inside the attraction! This ride has become infamous for making people feel ill, even those who don’t suffer from motion sickness. The ride is a centrifuge and simulates the experience of being launched into space. The centrifuge spins at speed, causing G-force to pin you to your seat. Another common complaint is a feeling of claustrophobia. Combining the two is one of the reasons Mission Space is the top of this list.

2. Star Tours

This classic attraction in Hollywood Studios is a simulator ride. Your journey through another galaxy is filled with thrills and expected events! As an older simulator ride this attraction can jerk you around quite a bit. Combining this with watching a screen can be what triggers motion sickness in some people.

3. Expedition Everest

Expedition Everest creates a stunning backdrop in Animal Kingdom. This exciting, thrill ride is a rollercoaster with big drops and high speeds. The biggest concern with regard to motion sickness is that there is a part of the ride where the rollercoaster goes backwards in total darkness, which can make some people turn a bit green! I love this ride! But I have noticed as my motion sickness has gotten worse over the years that I do feel a little peaky after riding this now (which is such a shame!).

4. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

The Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster in Hollywood Studios is one of my all-time favourite attractions! I love launch coasters, and Aerosmith are one of my favourite bands, so this ride is a match made in heaven for me! It is a high-speed rollercoaster, which goes upside down, and is in the dark. This combination can be difficult for people who suffer from motion sickness. In recent years I have started to feel a bit green after going on this if I go on it multiple times. I just can’t help myself! When I was younger I went on it 8 times in a row and was fine! Ah the good old days!

5. Tower of Terror

This iconic attraction looms over Hollywood Studios. The theming is excellent and it is clear why this ride has a cult following! The Tower of Terror is a drop ride. The sensation of falling and then quickly rising again can bother people who suffer from motion sickness.

6. CircleVision 360 Films

This may seem like a wildcard entry as the CircleVision attractions aren’t rides at all, in fact they are movies! There are three CircleVision films at EPCOT: Impressions de France, Canada Far & Wide and Reflections of China. A massive 360 degree screen surrounds you as you stand and watch beautiful films about Canada, China and France. The cinematography is beautiful and the films are so interesting and a great insight into these countries. The swooping camera shots combined with huge screens surrounding you can be the cause of making you feel a bit green!

7. Flight of Passage

Flight of Passage is the much talked about attraction in Pandora at Animal Kingdom. On this ride you climb aboard the back of your Banshee and fly through the beautiful landscapes of Pandora. This is a simulator ride. I personally had no issues with this ride (and found it stunning!). As it is a new ride the motion was synced very well with the video, which seems to be an issue with some older simulators, so because of this I didn’t feel unwell. But people who are sensitive to simulators may still find this ride a bit too intense.

8. Tea Cups

I love this classic ride, it is just so whimsical and fun! When I go on it we don’t spin our own tea cup and I am able to really enjoy it. The ride does still move in a slow spinning motion so can be bothersome to people who suffer from motion sickness caused by spinning.

9. Space Mountain

One of the most iconic attraction at Magic Kingdom, Space Mountain, is a Disney classic! It is a high-speed rollercoaster in the dark. This combination can be prone to triggering motion sickness. If you would like to still get a glimpse of Space Mountain without going on the attraction itself you can ride the Transit Authority PeopleMover which goes through Space Mountain!

10. Soarin’

Soarin’, in EPCOT, is another simulator attraction. It is a more gentle ride than other simulators such as Star Tours, as it doesn’t jerk you about. You experience the sensation of flying over landscapes that are project onto a giant screen that surrounds you entirely. Many people who suffer from motion sickness seem to be able to enjoy this ride. But if simulators of any kind are prone to making you feel a bit unwell it is worth taking a look at some videos of this ride before your trip to see if it is something suitable for you. It is also worth noting that if you suffer a fear of heights there are moments during this ride that may trigger that.

Luckily these days there are some great remedies available to try to prevent motion sickness, such as Sea Bands and motion sickness medications like Dramamine. I always like to watch Youtube videos of rides in advance to see if it looks like something I would enjoy or maybe would leave me a bit green!

My Top Tips for Other Sufferers of Motion Sickness

Do some research before you go to see if the attraction is something that may make you feel ill. When I am planning my trips I type in the attraction name into Youtube and there are plenty of on-ride videos you can watch so you can have an idea of what the motion or experience is like. I find this super helpful! Not only does it give a good idea of the intensity of the ride, it can also help prepare you if there is a surprising drop or sudden movement as you will be prepared for it to happen.

Take some motion sickness medication at the start of the day. This will help prevent or reduce motion sickness from happening so always best to take as a preventative measure rather than taking afterwards to help stop the feeling. Non-drowsy options are the best! Sea bands are also something people highly recommend. You wear them on your wrists at certain pressure points and this can help reduce the feeling of motion sickness in some people.

Ginger is your friend! If you feel a bit peaky ginger is a natural remedy for nausea. So come prepared with some ginger ale, ginger sweets or sip on some ginger tea as a back up.

One of the best things about Disney is there is such a wide variety of rides and attractions that there really is something for everyone. If there is a ride you want to skip over to avoid motion sickness there will still be so many more for you to enjoy so don’t worry about missing out!

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Motion Sickness Star Wars Rides?

Would love to experience the Star Wars rides but my SO gets motion sickness (although pretends he won’t!) Any advice please….

I am the same way as your SO, at least as far as Star Tours. I let my family ride and I wait nearby. Some folks find non-drowsy dramamine taken regularly throughout the trip can help, and some find the sea bands helpful. None of that works well for me and the last time I rode Star Tours is the last time for me. Even FOP sometimes bothers me so I’m okay skipping it by now.

MFSR bothers me if I’m anything but an engineer. I just don’t watch the screen if it seems to be getting to me

ROTR doesn’t bother me.

I take a Dramamine on my HS day. RotR doesn’t bother me at all. I did MFSR once and survived, but I passed on additional runs. Engineer is the way to go. Star Tours is just a no-go.

I would recommend taking something if you are riding Star Tours. My family gets bothered by it if they forget the Dramamine.

RotR is super smooth.

I’ve done MF:SR twice as pilot only. I play video games so the movement doesn’t affect me. My wife isn’t going to be able to do it, even with medicine.

I have to close my eyes for a portion of the ride, especially the hyper jumps.

Nom-drowsy probably won’t prevent it. But Less Drowsy Dramamine, or Bonine, works well. Non-drowsy is just ginger, so isn’t really effective as a preventative.

Anyhow, I think there is a chance any of the Star Wars rides could cause motion sickness, depending on how you personally react. I get motion sickness on some rides, but none of the Star Wars rides affect me.

Star Tours always knocked me to the ground, even with Dramamine. However, last year we got ReliefBands - these are the ones that give you the “TENS” type mini-electrical current on the inside of your wrist. We got them for Guardians, and decided to see if we could manage Star Tours with them…. And it worked!

Those things are awesome… not cheap, but a good investment that lets us ride anything without feeling a bit motion sick. Even helped on some of the things at UOR (like Forbidden Journey) that were completely off limits before.

I get motion sick, especially with screens. I won’t even attempt Star Tours or Millennium Falcon. I did RotR, closed my eyes for the “flying” part near the end, and I was fine. The movement of the vehicles themselves wasn’t a problem for me. It basically depends on what causes the motion sickness for him. For examploe, I can do BTMR, but I get sick on the Skyliner (I think it’s the distortion from the windows).

I get sick on motion simulators. Star Tours is so bad I will rarely do it anymore. MFSR is ok but it can still make me nauseous so I only ride once a trip and am ok skipping it if necessary. RotR is totally fine - no impact.

I take one regular Dramamine each night of my trip (also helps me sleep better!) and one half a less-drowsy Dramamine about 30 minutes before the offending ride (only once a day max).

Where you’re sitting in the ride vehicle can have an impact, but it seems to be different for everyone so takes some experimentation. Grounding yourself by looking at something stationary can help. Most simulators these days also have fans blowing on your face, which helps.

I was thinking about this thread earlier. I wanted to add that even Remy can make me feel off sometimes.

Me too. Dramamine definitely helps.

I’d have him skip ST. My DH said he was seconds away from puking and he felt off the rest of the day - not worth it,

The air blowing in your face on FOP is a godsend for me. It’s one of the “I can barely do this one” rides for me.

MFSR is a huge no for me. Closing my eyes didn’t help. I think it is possibly okay if you have really good, smooth pilots but you can’t guarantee that (unless I guess you go with people you know are good!). Mine were crashing every 5 seconds and it was the closest I came to throwing up on my trip. I won’t go near ST. ROTR is okay- there is some spinning and jerky movements, but not much.

Other TouringPlans Resources

Avoid These Disney Rides if You Are Prone to Motion Sickness

Being a theme park enthusiast can be a challenge when you experience motion sickness. Attractions can affect every individual differently, so having some degree of self-awareness about which ride elements might trigger your motion sickness can help you navigate questionable Disney ride experiences.

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Be Aware of Disney Rides That Could Be Potential Triggers

Knowing which attractions might hamper your enjoyment can prevent unpleasant physical symptoms during your Disney Parks day. Read on to learn which Disney rides have motion-sickness potential so you can weigh our guidance against your personal tendencies and make sound decisions about which rides you might want to avoid! We will cover rides that could cause motion sickness at both Disney World and Disneyland.

Remy's Ratatouille Adventure

Have you ever gotten sick while scrolling your mobile device or watching a movie on a tablet from the back seat of a moving car? Do virtual reality gaming headsets like the Oculus cause you dizziness or nausea? If so, you may want to be wary of this attraction, despite its tremendous aesthetic appeal.

The motion of the trackless ride vehicle itself is smooth and generally easy on the senses, but the scenes on EPCOT's Remy's Ratatouille Adventure rely heavily on large screens that make it look as if you are actually moving through the 4D digital environment. It's an amazing effect, and I'm fortunately still able to enjoy the ride, but it makes me dizzy enough that I need to take a brief break from rides for a little while afterward.

Mission Space

This NASA-inspired motion simulation attraction has become notorious for making guests seriously ill during its tenure at EPCOT, and due to this unfortunate reality, Disney provides a tamer ride experience for those who struggle with motion sickness. The “Orange Mission” is still available for thrill seekers brave enough to test themselves against the Gravitron-style centrifuge used to simulate the G-forces astronauts experience upon the launch and re-entry of a spacecraft.

If you experience motion sickness at all, you'll definitely want to opt for the less intense “Green Mission.” It's important to note, however, that this version of the ride is still a motion simulator that requires riders to sit inside a confined enclosed area while viewing a screen that creates the illusion of space travel, so some level of discomfort is still possible, especially if you're claustrophobic. Be aware that both versions of the attraction provide small “sickbags” for each passenger, so do with that information what you will!

Mad Tea Party

Technically, it's possible to simply sit still inside your candy-hued teacup on this classic ride without spinning the saucer at all. Refusing to turn the steering wheel won't keep you from traveling in larger circles around the base of the attraction, though. Spinning is an inherent component of the Mad Tea Party, so if that sort of motion makes you as dizzy as it does me, you might want to settle for watching the pretty colors whirl past from the sidelines.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Based on the descriptions I read about this exciting EPCOT attraction before I experienced it for the first time, I assumed I would need to take anti-nausea medication to prepare for it or wear motion sickness wristbands while riding. A fast-moving “Omnicoaster” with screens and a ride vehicle that rotates 360 degrees sounds like a recipe for queasiness.

So, I was surprised to discover this ride didn't cause me discomfort in the slightest, and instead, I found it to be absolutely exhilarating. However, our bodies experience attractions differently, and there are a couple of important factors to note about Cosmic Rewind before you dance your way through interstellar space.

This coaster features a reverse launch, and although the individual ride vehicles don't spin constantly, they do rotate toward show scenes while moving at high speeds along the track. A giant bowed screen, featuring an enormous celestial being and astral objects whizzing by, creates the backdrop for the ride. Those who feel averse to traveling backward, motion simulation videos, or accelerating in a non-forward-facing position may want to proceed with caution or avoid the ride portion of this attraction.

I recommend walking through the Xandar pavilion to tour the “Galaxarium” (like a planetarium), viewing the wonders of Xandar exhibits, and watching the fun Guardians pre-show even if you decide to exit before boarding the ride.

Avatar Flight of Passage

I sometimes refer to Avatar Flight of Passage at Animal Kingdom as “Soarin' 6.0.” Like Soarin', it uses a screen to immerse guests in the attraction environment— Pandora, in this case—and a uniquely designed flight simulator allows guests to imagine they're riding on the back of a “banshee” through lush forests, behind waterfalls, and over mystic mountains. The effect is quite convincing if you can stomach the tilts and drops synced with the movement of the camera, especially on Flight of Passage, which also incorporates 3D technology.

Neither of these attractions has ever bothered me in the past, but during the pandemic, I realized why. My family took a trip to Disney World in May of 2021 when Disney was still implementing COVID protocols. We rode Flight of Passage, and the air vents, which normally blow directly into your face while riding, were turned off as a precaution against viral spread. Without moving air to create the illusion of rushing wind, I experienced some moderate nausea on the ride.

Soarin' also usually features a similar wind effect. Considering this experience, it's safe to say the potential for motion sickness on these attractions definitely exists.

Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

Another motion simulator attraction designed to mimic space travel, Star Tours at Disney's Hollywood Studios seats guests in rows on a destination-bound “starspeeder” that tilts, rumbles, and jolts through a randomized series of planetary settings. Like in Avatar Flight of Passage, guests wear 3-D glasses for the full immersive effect of the digital video viewed through the front windshield of the spacecraft. If other screen-based motion-simulator attractions make you feel ill, there's a strong possibility this one will too.

Classic Spinners (and Carousels)!

Any ride designed to repeatedly travel in circles is obviously going to make some of us feel as if we're going to lose the churros we enjoyed earlier. This is especially the case when visiting Disney while pregnant!

Whether it's the beloved flying elephant, Astro Orbiter, The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Golden Zephyr, or Silly Symphony Swings, if it spins, it's highly likely to cause nausea and dizziness for guests who suffer from motion sickness. King Arthur's Carousel may spin more slowly than these other midway-style attractions, but charm notwithstanding, don't underestimate the vomit-inducing potential of the vintage merry-go-round and other rides like it.

Expedition Everest

If you're averse to the stomach-dropping sensation rollercoasters are famous for producing, you should generally steer clear of them altogether. Personally, spinning and screens are my primary triggers, and I'm a big fan of rollercoasters. But, even if most coasters don't bother you, there may be a few exceptions that cause unexpected feelings of unease due to certain ride elements. Hurling backward through a dark mountain on Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom might be one of those surprise factors for some people.

Incredicoaster and Rock ‘n' Rollercoaster Starring Aerosmith

In addition to accelerating in reverse, inversions are another coaster design element that can affect the magnitude of gravitational forces acting on ride passengers, which both Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure and Rock ‘n' Rollercoaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney's Hollywood Studios feature.

Although the Incredicoaster (one of the best rollercoasters at Disneyland ) only has one loop, it also boasts a 108-foot drop (creating more G-forces), and prior to the three inversions it performs as it zooms through the neon lights of its dark L.A. night setting, Rock ‘n' Rollercoaster speeds from 0-57 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds. These are somewhat intense thrill rides, so if increased gravitational forces make you queasy, you'll want to skip them completely.

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout

This quintessential Hollywood Studios attraction and its Disney California Adventure cousin offer similar experiences with different theming. Both feature a randomized sequence of drops designed to simulate a free-fall experience. Drop tower rides can create an airborne effect that actually raises you out of your seat as you are pulled downward. This feeling can be really discomforting to some people, so if you have doubts, avoid Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout.

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

Those who plan to avoid Mission Space due to claustrophobia might consider skipping this underwater Disneyland attraction , too. A slow-moving voyage through the coral-laden miniature “big blue world” in a cheerful yellow submarine might not seem overtly threatening, but between the small enclosed cabin with minimal airflow and snug seating facing sideways out into the lagoon, this ride can get really hot, stuffy, and downright unpleasant. It's also not a brief experience, so be aware you could end up with prolonged discomfort if you do decide to ride.

This is not an exhaustive list, and there is certainly potential for motion sickness on rides not listed above. If you're in doubt about a particular attraction, watching a complete ride-through video on YouTube can be a good way to feel it out. However, the only way to know for sure if a ride will have an undesired effect on you personally is to try it yourself.

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About Jessie Nichols

Jessie is a former educator with years of experience penning prose for various individuals, organizations, and online publications. She's a life-long lover of Disney animation and storytelling and a frequent visitor to Disney Parks with her family. As an East Tennessee girl, Walt Disney World is her home resort, and she enjoys experiencing a different resort hotel to the fullest each time she goes. Simple Disney pleasures are where it's at for her - like watching the Electrical Water Pageant from a resort beach, or enjoying a frozen treat from Sunshine Tree Terrace while soaking up the Adventureland atmosphere. Her favorite attractions include Pirates of the Caribbean, Living With the Land, the PeopleMover, and Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, among many others.

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Star Tours and motion sickness

• Thread starter Robertavz
• Start date Dec 28, 2012

• Dec 28, 2012

Earning My Ears

I have been on the new Star Tours at least 10 times. The best place to sit to avoid motion sickness is the front row. Just think it is a smoother ride. The worst is the back rows and to the end seats.  

TwoCortWort

A buckeye disney princess.

Both my parents get motion sickness and both can ride the ride without trouble. My dad did get dizzy on it but he has vertigo and I think the 4D glasses messed with him last time,he has never had problems on the ride.  

I get motion sickness and I cannot ride star tours. And there is no easier side.  

figment_jii

Dis veteran.

I can ride most roller coasters that don't go upside down at least once (not several times in a row), but I tried Star Tours in November and needed to sit down outside on a bench for about thirty minutes afterwards. For me, I think the problem was with the 3D...I have trouble focusing on 3D movies and seeing one while on a simulator was more than I could handle. I would wait to ride it at the end of the day so that if you do get motion sick, you won't waste the rest of the day.  

I get motion sick and have never had a problem on Star Tours.  

Star Tours is the toughest ride for me (other than the Tea Cups). My kids LOVE this ride, and I do it multiple times with them, but there will be times where I need to close my eyes, or focus solely on C3PO to get through. I can do MS-Orange (that;s a tough one too), RNR, TofT, Space Mt, Everest, all with very little problem.  

Delilah1310

I take a Bonine in the morning as a preventative measure against all motion sickness. Its an over the counter medicine you can get at any drugstore. Its kind of like Dramamine, but for some reason, for me, I don't get any drowsy side effects from Bonine and I can with the Dramamine. With the Bonine I am able to ride Star Tours multiple times and even several back to back trips without a problem. your milage may vary, but its been a life saver for me.  

Mousemommy1

Csummerlin55, mouseketeer.

My DH has motion sickness issues and Star Tours tends to make him feel a little queasy but he'll take the glasses off and focus on something for a bit then he's ok. We do usually get the front row. I like one of the PP's suggestions to save it for the end of the day just incase.  

Meriweather

Being a nana is my superpower.

I can ride the coasters, but not Star Tours  

PersonalizedMouse

My girls suffer from motion sickness and I get dizzy easily (vertigo?). We started each morning with them taking motion sickness pills. I knew I wouldn't be able to do Star Tours from a previous trip 10 years ago! But the girls really wanted to try it! I worried about them, but they did great and really enjoyed it. So I wonder if them redoing it, made it better for those suffering from motion sickness issues? I still didn't ride it, I wanted someone to not be sick if they had issues! They didn't like EE or BTM, but enjoyed Star Tours...go figure!  

Meriweather said: I can ride the coasters, but not Star Tours Click to expand...

Hard to say. Some folks (like several PPs) have lots of trouble with simulators, but do OK on coasters. Others (like me) have less trouble with simulators than with coasters that do loops and spirals. With a simulator, I can always close my eyes (if need be) and not experience very much real motion. But with a spiraling-backwards coaster (like Everest), closing the eyes doesn't do a bit of good. The movement is all too real, and it does unpleasant things to my stomach. There is no "mild" version of Star Tours. It's Mission Space at Epcot that has a mild side and a non-mild (spinning) side.  

<font color=red>Just call me Capt. Barbossa-someon

besides the motion sickness pill..take a zyrtec..last 24 hours and odds are high it will help...  

• Dec 29, 2012

PrettyFlower2

• Mar 31, 2013

minnierocks

I am not prone to motion sickness and have even done Mission Space (once) but Star Tours makes me sick. I rode it on Wednesday again because I wanted to give it another try since they had redone it...I watched the launch and knew I was not going to be able to do it. I found a fixed point (which allowed me to ride the old version with my family) but even that didn't help. By the time the ride was over, my 3D glasses were fogging over and I seriously thought I was going to be sick. I had a headache for hours. I don't know what it is with this ride...I can ride roller coasters, Soaring and Tower of Terror with no problems but Star Tours is unfortunately off my to do list permanently.  

The sickest I have ever been on a ride was Star Tours. It is not the motion for me, it is the movie and simulation that bothers me. I also have to close my eyes for parts of Philharmagic and Soarin.  

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Disney’s limited edition Star Tours playset is just a tiny version of the ride

The limited edition playset will be available to purchase starting Aug. 12

by Alice Jovanée

If you buy something from a Polygon link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Disney didn’t have to go this hard with a Star Tours playset, but they did, and now I’m spending $300 on a recreation of an antiquated Disney World attraction. Announced as part of the D23 fan event, the Star Tours collector’s playset features an impeccably detailed recreation of the StarSpeeder 3000 as it appeared in the original Star Tours attraction as it first appeared back in 1987. The $300 model will be available to purchase exclusively from the Disney Store starting on Aug. 12, with units limited to one per customer.

StarSpeeder 3000 Playset

The StarSpeeder 3000 model is roughly 24 inches long and 14 inches high when mounted on its light-up stand and has a number of dynamic lighting effects and features along its exterior, including blasters, thrusters, and headlights. A small button on the rear of the ship opens the boarding doors on the side and even plays a recording of the original greeting from the ship’s pilot RX-24 (as voiced by Paul Reubens).

The fully-modeled interior is a stunning recreation of the original ride, including an LCD screen which displays clips from the original Star Tours attraction, and even syncs up the interior lighting to the playback. RX-24 and his co-pilot, R2-D2 are also included as part of the playset and can be placed in their appropriate positions on top and inside the StarSpeeder 3000.

Star Tours has since been replaced by a much shinier version of the same ride. But if you’re someone who accepts no substitutes, this playset is about the closest you can get to the original.

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The best motion sickness remedies, according to doctors and NBC Select editors

If you’re prone to motion sickness, you know the feeling of panic that comes with the onset of symptoms like nausea, dizziness and an upset stomach. Motion sickness manifests in different ways and affects many people differently — for me, it hits me almost every time I’m in the passenger seat of a car , on a boat or a bumpy airplane ride ; for others, it can be on a train or in certain areas of a vehicle.

I spoke with four medical experts about how to treat symptoms and prevent them in the first place. I also rounded up my favorite products, as well as those of other NBC Select editors, to deal with motion sickness.

SKIP AHEAD What causes motion sickness? | Who is more prone to motion sickness? | What are the best ways to prevent motion sickness? | Do medications work for motion sickness? | Are there any alternative remedies for motion sickness? | Why trust NBC Select?

Our top picks for treating motion sickness

Dramamine Ginger Chews

Gin Gins Original Ginger Chews

Sea-Band Anti-Nausea Acupressure Wristband

UpNature Peppermint Essential Oil Roll On

Care Touch Alcohol Wipes

What exactly causes motion sickness.

Our body is made up of several sensory systems that work together to help us experience the world: The vestibular system, located in our inner ear, gives us balance; the visual system gives us sight and perspective; and the somatosensory system helps us understand where our body is, says Dr. Danielle Qing , internal medicine physician and assistant professor in the department of medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital. But sometimes, the sensory inputs our brain receives don’t quite add up, and motion sickness usually occurs when the input from these systems is mixed or in conflict, experts say.

“For example, imagine you’re on a boat. The visual system is telling you that the room is still, while the vestibular system is telling you that you’re off balance, given the motion of the waves,” says Qing. “It works the other way too, such as feeling the balance of sitting still in a car but seeing the landscape pass you by quickly. This sensory conflict is where motion sickness develops.”

Other factors that tend to lead to motion sickness include a history of migraines, hormonal changes (for example, pregnant women) and genetics. Allergies and congestion, for example, affect your inner ear due to mucus and pressure buildup, which can throw off sensory signals, says Dr. Barbara Bawer , primary care physician and clinical assistant professor at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Also, being dehydrated, hungover or sleep-deprived can all increase feelings of nausea or dizziness, says Dr. Terez Malka , a travel medicine physician at Duration Health, a telehealth urgent care platform.

Even mindset can play a big role, and stress and anxiety about travel or motion sickness can make symptoms even worse. “Often, those who expect to get sick are the ones who do,” says Dr. Natascha Tuznik , infectious disease specialist and associate clinical professor of medicine at UC Davis Medical Center. (More on anxiety-related motion sickness below.)

Who is more prone to motion sickness?

Some people are more prone to motion sickness than others due to various factors. For example, women are more susceptible to motion sickness than men, and people experiencing hormonal changes (during pregnancy, for example) may also be more prone to motion sickness, says Tuznik. Children under 2 years old and adults over the age of 50 are usually the least susceptible to motion sickness, while it is most common in kids between the ages of 2 and 12, says Tuznik.

People with a history of migraines or those with certain medical conditions that impact the inner ear or balance center in the brain, including hearing damage and tumors or masses, can experience motion sickness symptoms at a higher rate, experts say.

There is also a genetic component: If your parents get motion sick, you are more likely to experience motion sickness, too, says Malka.

What are the best ways to prevent motion sickness?

The most effective way to avoid motion sickness symptoms is to prevent it altogether. That means avoiding situations that can trigger nausea and dizziness, such as reading in a moving vehicle or sitting in the backseat of a car, according to my experts. However, if that’s unavoidable, here are some expert-recommended tips for preventing motion sickness in any situation:

• Use your environment: If you’re at sea, try looking at the horizon, or another stationary object or fixture if you’re in a moving vehicle, says Tuznik.
• Take any medications in advance: Malka says all motion sickness medications work best if taken 20-40 minutes before you start traveling.
• Avoid reading or staring at a stationary object: This includes putting down your phone or tablet, experts say. “Your eyes are looking at one thing, which is your screen or your phone or your book, but your ears are hearing things going past or your eyes are also moving,” says Bawer. “Let’s say you look up really quickly, and you see things whizzing by you. But when you look back down at the page, it sends mixed signals, and there’s a disconnect.”
• Where you sit matters. “If you’re on a boat, avoid the upper levels. If you’re in a car, try to sit in the front. If you’re on a plane, look for a seat over the front edge of the wing,” says Tuznik. 
• Stay hydrated and eat light: Make sure you drink water as you travel and avoid alcohol before and during traveling because a hangover or dehydration will make your symptoms much worse, says Malka. “Eating a light meal or frequent, easy-to-digest snacks like crackers so you are not too full or empty is typically best,” she says.
• Be prepared: “ Getting adequate sleep and making sure you are dressed comfortably for the weather and not too warm, can also help keep your stomach settled,” says Malka.

Do medications work for motion sickness?

Several over-the-counter and prescription medications can help relieve or prevent motion sickness. All of the experts I spoke to say that OTC and prescription medications are some of the most effective treatments for motion sickness, with the latter being the best way to relieve severe nausea, dizziness and other typical symptoms.

Keep in mind that most of the following medications are antihistamines, which means they can make you feel drowsy. They may also come with certain side effects. Our experts generally recommend avoiding medications if you have mild symptoms because the side effects tend to outweigh the benefits.

OTC medications

• Dimenhydrinate , also known by the brand name Dramamine , is a popular option to help reduce motion sickness symptoms like nausea. However, it is an antihistamine, which means it may cause drowsiness, dizziness and decreased mental alertness, says Tuznik. “Unfortunately, not much can be done to mitigate the side effects,” says Tuznik. “If you’ve taken it before, you should expect similar side effects each time.” You should avoid taking Dramamine while driving, according to experts.
• Meclizine , also known by the brand name Bonine , is similar to Dramamine, but is less likely to cause drowsiness since you take it once a day (while you should take Dramamine every four to six hours as needed), says Tuznik.

Remember that non-sedative OTC antihistamines like Zyrtec, Claritin and Allegra won’t be effective for treating or preventing motion sickness, says Tuznik.

Prescription medications

• Scopolamine patches: A prescription-only transdermal patch you can wear behind your ear at least four hours before travel and use for up to 72 hours to prevent or treat motion sickness, experts say. This is the most effective treatment for motion sickness, according to experts.
• Ondansetron, promethazine and cyclizine are oral medications and sedatives that treat nausea and vomiting. Like other anti-nausea medications I mention above, these are drowsy (sedating) antihistamines. They come with potential side effects, so talk to your primary care doctor or travel clinic about whether these medications are right for you.

Are there any alternative remedies for motion sickness?

If you have mild motion sickness or aren’t looking to endure the side effects of anti-nausea medication, there are several natural remedies to try. Keep in mind that these remedies, like aromatherapy and acupressure, have limited research showing effectiveness and whether they actually work usually varies from person to person.  

Aromatherapy

Research shows that bad smells, like car fumes or cigarette smoke, can worsen motion sickness, while pleasant smells, like peppermint essential oils, may help reduce nausea. No major studies prove essential oils are safe or effective at treating motion sickness; however, ginger and peppermint essential oils or extracts have shown some promise in small studies , says Malka.

Zoe Malin , NBC Select associate updates editor, uses the UpNature Peppermint Essential Oil Roll-On to reduce her car sickness. “I keep a little roller ball of peppermint essential oil in my bathroom and apply it to my wrists before I go on a car ride, which is when I tend to experience the most motion sickness,” says Malin. “If I start getting nauseous, I’ll smell the essential oil — after a few deep breaths, the scent starts to dull the nausea.”

It is important to remember not to ingest essential oils or apply them directly to your skin, and to keep them away from children or pets, says Malka.

Ginger extract

Ginger can be an effective and natural way of preventing and treating nausea, according to several studies . Smaller studies have also shown that ginger spice is effective at reducing motion-related nausea .

Ginger comes in several forms, including chews, candies, supplement capsules, teas and tablets. Though there is no ideal dose for motion sickness, ginger generally helps your digestive system and supports the release of blood pressure-regulating hormones to calm the body, which ultimately reduces nausea, says Tuznik.

For my motion sickness, I’m a fan of the Dramamine Ginger Chews because they have a subtle ginger taste compared to others I’ve tried (ginger can be intense, in my experience), are fast-acting and have a chewy texture that makes it feel like I’m eating regular candy. Despite the brand name, these chews do not actually have the dimenhydrinate medicine that we commonly associate with Dramamine, so it does not leave you feeling drowsy.

If you want a harder candy with a stronger taste, both Malin and I love the Gin Gins Original Ginger Chews . The strong ginger flavor stops motion sickness in the first place, in both my and Malin's experience. “Not only does the ginger taste of these candies make me feel less nauseous, but chewing them also gives me something to focus on other than how sick I feel in the car,” says Malin. “I’ve tried other ginger candies, but these are the only ones that have an intense enough flavor to dull my nausea.”

Acupressure

Some studies show that applying pressure on a certain point of the inner wrist may help prevent and treat nausea and vomiting, specifically at the pericardium 6 (P-6) acupressure point, which is three finger-widths away from the wrist, experts say.

Since I have severe motion sickness when I’m on a boat or in a moving car, I used the Sea-Band Anti-Nausea Acupressure Wristbands on each wrist during a vacation to Italy. Each band has a small plastic circle that presses on the P-6 pressure point, and they helped me avoid nausea and dizziness when on a tour boat in the Mediterranean ocean, on a ferry on the Amalfi Coast and in a small van riding through the hilly Tuscan vineyards.

While many people, including me, swear that pressing on an acupressure point at the base of the wrist or wearing bands that press on this area reduces motion sickness, research has not shown them to have much impact on symptoms. “But there is no harm in using them, either,” says Qing. ​​They are also safe and relatively inexpensive to try, says Tuznik.

Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol

Smelling rubbing alcohol can be a safe way to relieve nausea symptoms, and it’s sometimes as effective as some medications, says Malka. “Packaged single-use alcohol swabs are a safe, portable measure that you can bring with you to use as needed,” she says.

Frequently asked questions

Most motion sickness medications work best when you take them 20-40 minutes before you start traveling, so make sure to plan ahead, says Malka.

Avoid taking motion sickness medicines after the onset of symptoms. “Once you have the symptoms already, a lot of the anti-motion sickness medicines are not going to work as well because your stomach processing slows down, so the absorption of the medication you're taking at that moment is going to be decreased,” says Bawer. “It’s still going to work, but it just won’t be as effective.”

For people with a history of mild motion sickness (which means that it does not interfere with your ability to function), experts recommend environmental modifications and natural remedies. Medications are usually not recommended because the side effects may outweigh the benefits, says Tuznik.

Though motion sickness is most common in children between the ages of 2 and 12, some motion sickness medicines are not recommended for children. Talk to your child’s doctor about medicines and correct dosing for motion sickness, and only give the recommended dosage, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

One of the most common motion sickness triggers is stress and anxiety, specifically anxiety before you even start your travels. “If you know that anxiety or nerves cause a lot of motion sickness for you, talk with your doctor or a therapist before you leave about some options to reduce anxiety like meditation, breathwork, journaling or, in some cases, medication,” says Malka.

Meet our experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• Dr. Danielle Qing is an internal medicine physician and assistant professor in the Department of Medicine, division of General Internal Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital.
• Dr. Barbara Bawer is a primary care physician and clinical assistant professor of family and community medicine at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. 
• Dr. Terez Malka is a travel medicine physician at Duration Health, a telehealth urgent care platform.
• Dr. Natascha Tuznik is an infectious disease specialist and an associate clinical professor of medicine and associate program director of the Infectious Diseases Fellowship at UC Davis Medical Center.

Why trust NBC Select?

I am an updates editor at NBC Select covering a wide range of wellness topics, including sunscreen for kids , deodorants and antiperspirants , and rosacea treatments . For this article, I spoke to four physicians about the best ways to treat and prevent motion sickness, including OTC remedies and prescription medications. I also rounded up some NBC Select editor-favorite treatments for motion sickness.

Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance , tech and tools , wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.

Mili Godio is an updates editor for Select on NBC News.

What causes motion sickness — and what can you do about it?

I f your favorite position when riding in a boat or a car is curled up in a dark corner because you’re queasy, you might want to give thanks for the creatures that underpin much of medical research’s baby steps.

A new study conducted in mice may have solved part of a mystery that has plagued a share of humans since transportation of any sort was invented: motion sickness.

Researchers from the Autonomous University of Barcelona believe they’ve figured out which cells in the brain are responsible for misinterpreting sensory signals from our inner ears, eyes and legs in a way that creates the gut-wrenching malady.

The findings were just released in the journal PNAS, formerly the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Cleveland Clinic says motion sickness occurs “when your brain can’t make sense of information sent to your eyes, ears and body. Lots of motion — in a car, airplane, boat or even an amusement park ride — can make you feel queasy, clammy or sick to your stomach. Some people vomit.”

To figure it out, the researchers sent the mice to an amusement park of sorts.

Neurons and spin cycles

ScienceAlert.com describes what the researchers did: “Unsuspecting mice were plopped in a plastic tube, strapped onto a rotating spinner, and sent for a ride, so researchers could pinpoint which neurons lit up after this nausea-inducing merry-go-round.”

Released from the “ride,” the mice crept away, hunkering down, uninterested in food. The researchers said their body temperatures dropped, too — symptoms familiar to those who experience motion sickness.

The scientists wanted to see which brain cells responded to the mismatched signals received, in hopes the information can be used to develop better medication for motion sickness. So they inhibited various subsets of neurons in the vestibular nuclei, a kind of communication hub in the brainstem, before putting the mice back on the ride to see if they got sick again or not.

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When they inactivated vestibular neurons that express the VGLUt2 protein, the animals could spin without getting wobbly or sick. They reported that of those vestibular neurons, the cholecystokinin (CCK)-expressing vestibular neurons seems responsible for the ill effects.

When they stimulated dense areas of CCK-A neurons in the brain’s parabrachial nuclei — “an area known to regulate appetite suppression, body temperature and lethargy,” per ScienceAlert.com — some of the motion sickness symptoms returned. “The animals’ body temperature fell and they avoided sugary foods, but they still ate and moved normally, so other connections stemming from vestibular nuclei likely induced those bodily responses to motion sickness,” the article said.

Blocking the CCK-A receptor before the mice were spun alleviated some of the signs of motion sickness.

“Most anti-motion sickness medications  work similarly , to reduce activity in the brain’s balance system or limit signals being sent between the brain and gut, to help stop nausea and vomiting,” the article notes.

The question now is whether humans have the same neural pathway. And while the finding’s hopeful, research takes time, so if you’re among the third of humankind that gets motion sick, don’t count on riding that roller coaster with ease any time soon.

Preventing motion sickness now

In the meantime, experts offer some advice to temper the misery. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends:

• Sitting in the front of the motor vehicle.
• Take a window seat on flights or train rides.
• When you can, lie down, shut your eyes, sleep or stare at the horizon.
• Drink plenty of water, but limit alcohol or caffeine.
• Eat small amounts of food often.
• Don’t smoke. “Even stopping for a short period of time helps,” CDC says.
• Distract yourself.
• Suck flavored lozenges. CDC recommends ginger candy.
• Medicines for motion sickness can also relieve symptoms, but may cause drowsiness. Benadryl, Dramamine and scopolamine are three examples.

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